National City to take up redevelopment discussions Tuesday

Labor concessions, redevelopment and sewer fees are among key topics coming before the City Council Tuesday night.

Some 120 city workers, such as public works employees, clerical staff and janitors, have agreed to pay 5 percent more toward their pension contributions, a move that will save the city about $267,000 for the 2011 fiscal year, according to a staff report.

The Municipal Employees’ Association will take two weeks of furloughs and pay 8 percent of the employees’ share of their pensions - up from the 3 percent they were previously paying.

Those pension contributions will be offset by a 3 percent raise next year.

A tentative three-year agreement with the union was reached last week and the council is set to approve it tomorrow night.

Other business includes sewer fee collections, an amendment to the municipal code to allow for the use of the city's first off-leash dog park, and continued redevelopment discussions.

Sewer fees - collected through residents’ property taxes - will remain the same for the fifth year in a row, city officials said.

Council members will also decide whether or not to support a lawsuit filed Monday by the California League of Cities against the state to challenge changes in funding for redevelopment agencies.